Parent Interview Questions & Answers

1. Where have you guys been for vacation?

Our most recent vacation was to N. Carolina to see my brother. In the Spring we went to
a water park in Canada with my brother and his family (his wife and their 6 year old
daughter). (It took multiple visits for Mikey to do more than just splash but he slowly
warmed up and tried a few slides. ). For every vacation we do a count down on the
calendar and talk about how we get there and he makes a bag of "comfort" items. We
also try to look at pictures ahead of time on line about the places. In addition once we
arrive we try to pay attention to his cues and know when we might have to leave or just
help reassure.
2. What do you guys like to do as a family?
We do a lot of nature walks, bike riding (Mikey just started trying to ride without training
wheels), playing cars or trains, making construction sites, play soccer in the back yard,
fort building, gardening, church activities, community work, playing store or restaurant,
and reading at bedtime.
3. Were you nervous having your second child?
To be honest yes. We talked to his OT(occupational therapist) when Mikey was 2. It's
one of those things that there was no crystal ball. Everything with Mikey seemed right
and normal in terms of the pregnancy and his initial development. We did try to have a
second child sooner but we had 3 miscarriages before we finally were blessed with
Eliana. A lot of it was trust and prayer and coming to terms with the fact that we needed
to see Mikey's sensory stuff as a way to grow us and make us better parents. It's also
realizing everyone struggles and that at least we know supports exist if we needed them.
4. What are your expectations for us?
Our expectations are simply that you take in Mikey for who he is as a person before you
look at him from the Sensory Point of view. As his parents we try not to focus on his
challenges but make him feel as "normal" as possible. We also hope that you might learn
what Sensory Processing Disorder is so you understand how it overlaps with autism but
that it is it's own disorder. Lastly just realize how life changing your project is. We
trouble shoot as we go and as problems arise. Having your binder will give us a resource
because as with any child what works at one point will not necessarily work forever. It's
thinking out of the box and being ready to help his teachers and school that will help
Mikey achieve his potential. Teachers have huge responsibilities and we can help them
to help Mikey if we work as partners.
5. What issues do you foresee for us? What do we have to prepare ourselves for?
The number one issue is how Mikey has no IEP or 504. He is doing okay but has
challenges as we discussed. It's hard to have consistency when there is no written
plan. Also schools are limited with staff and finances so those can create hurdles to
navigate. At this point Mikey has to really struggle before we can suggest a formalized
plan.

I would say you need to prepare for frustration because what seems common sense isn't
how schools necessarily do things. Also realize the time line to get an evaluation and the
ball rolling for an IEP or 504 is very long. The hard part is there is no way to make up
that lost time. It's why bring proactive and thinking of problems and solutions now can
make a world of difference in the path Mikey ends up on.
6. What strategies do you use to help Mikey adjust to new people and situations?
Strategies we use:
Social stories
Pictures
Pre visits
Talking about how he feels and what he would like to do
Putting it on the calendar (countdown sometimes)
Letting him bring a comfort item
Talking and watching his cues just before
Offering ideas of how to engage appropriately
Play dates
7. Has Mikey been tested for any other disabilities?
Autism, swallowing disorder
8. Does Mikey have access to the internet?
Yes access at school and home
9. What techniques have his teachers introduced to him so far? What works? What
doesnt?
Teacher techniques last year: he had an aide in his room that could redirect as needed
(she was not assigned to him so this was inconsistent, he brought a comfort object and he
could have that, flexibility in his choice of bathroom, color chart
This year: color chart, jobs, special signs to color
10. What are your experiences with his past/current teacher(s)?
Last year his teacher allowed me to come in and help with centers. Everyone has been
supportive. In preschool his teacher identified problem areas in the fall but didn't make a
point of sharing until the Spring when things were really tough for Mikey. Early
watching, communication and help is key.
11. Short term goals:
Have friends at school, have a sense of pride in himself, be able to go to school or new
places without a battle,
Long term goals:
same as above and go to college, have a family of his own, that he will strive for his best
and have self confidence to get through the good and bad

Mikeys Interview Questions & Answers

1. What are some things you like to do in your free time?
Construction, forts, look at stars, play cars, make signs, play store, playground, building
tents.
2. What is your favorite movie?
Phineas and Ferb, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo
3. What is your favorite toy?
Construction cone and wet floor sign
4. Do you like school?
Yes
5. What is your favorite thing about school?
recess
6. Who is your best friend?
Rachael and Matt smith
7. What is your favorite sport? Team?
Soccer, Basketball, swimming, team team -su
8. Who is your favorite superhero?
Spider-Man